sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

transitive verb

1

a

: to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process

specifically : to bring an action against

b

: to proceed with and follow up (a legal action) to proper termination

2

archaic : to pay court or suit to : woo

3

obsolete : to make petition to or for

intransitive verb

1

: to take legal proceedings in court

2

: to make a request or application : plead

—usually used with for or to

sue for peace

3

: to pay court : woo

He loved … but sued in vain …

—William Wordsworth

suer noun

Synonyms of sue

• seek
• request
• call (for)
• speak (for)
• plead (for)
• ask (for)

Examples of sue in a Sentence

Some people sue over the most minor things.

People injured in accidents caused by the defective tire have threatened to sue.

They've threatened to sue the company.

He is suing the doctor who performed the unnecessary surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

The state cannot both claim the benefits of a settlement Florida declined to join while continuing to sue us. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Jonathan Evans, a civil rights attorney who has sued the department, thinks the big payouts show that greater public awareness of mental health issues is a factor. — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

One health insurance company, Alignment Healthcare, has already threatened to sue the government after its star ratings were downgraded — a now-common occurrence for almost any insurer that is unhappy with its grades. — Bob Herman, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026

Vaccaro, who filed for divorce, is also suing Hill, 32, alleging at least eight domestic violence incidents. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sewen, siuen to follow, strive for, petition, from Anglo-French sivre, siure, from Vulgar Latin *sequere, from Latin sequi to follow; akin to Greek hepesthai to follow, Sanskrit sacate he accompanies

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing sue

• counter-sue
• sue for damages
• sue for divorce
• sue for peace

Rhymes for sue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

sue

verb

ˈsü 

sued; suing

1

: to seek justice from a person by bringing a legal action

2

: to make a request or application : plead

—usually used with for or to

the weaker nation sued for peace

suer noun

Legal Definition

sue

verb

sued; suing

transitive verb

: to bring an action against : seek justice from by legal process

intransitive verb

: to bring an action in court

Etymology

Anglo-French suer, suire, literally, to follow, pursue, from Old French sivre, ultimately from Latin sequi to follow

Biographical Definition

Sue

biographical name

ˈsü  ˈsᵫ 

Eugène 1804–1857 originally Marie-Joseph Sue French novelist